About Ascent

Ascent Developer Solutions is a leading private lending platform, serving real estate developers nationwide in the acquisition, renovation, and construction of residential real estate. Founded by a leadership team with a deep understanding and personal experience in virtually every facet of real estate development, Ascent is uniquely positioned to create custom, innovative lending solutions for a variety of real estate development business strategies.

The Role

We are seeking an entrepreneurial mid- to senior- level real estate attorney to join our growing legal team with Ascent Developer Solutions. Working with the General Counsel and our small and mighty legal/compliance team, this role advises our credit, loan officer, operations, and executive teams to provide transactional and strategic legal guidance. This role will focus strategically on loan originations (including continued strategic work on our loan origination platform and processes), negotiations, modifications, and enforcement matters across our nationwide footprint.

The Work

This role is suited for someone ready to roll up their sleeves and work on complex and nuanced issues in real estate deals. You will have a proactive and influential role in shaping the company’s trajectory. We're a young company in an exciting, fast-growing space; this role is for someone who loves to create and work with new and novel deals. You're a proactive and risk-accepting individual who has experience with a growing company, as our compliance needs will adapt as the company grows. 

• Draft, review, and negotiate loan documents, including loan agreements, promissory notes, guarantees, and security instruments (deeds of trust/mortgages); intercreditor and subordination agreements; repurchase agreements; and more a required by the business.
• Advise internal stakeholders on legal structure, risk allocation, and compliance considerations.
• Coordinate with operational colleagues, external counsel and title/escrow agents on closing logistics.
• Review and analyze borrower entity documents, organizational charts, and SPE/separateness compliance.
• Support structuring and the creation/modification of programmatic elements for construction loans, bridge loans, and loan participations.
• Provide guidance on state-specific legal requirements, lien priorities, and enforceability, including as it relates to enforcement matters.
• Draft term sheets, letters of intent, and modification and forbearance agreements.
• Collaborate with leadership on default scenarios and workouts.
• Create and maintain legal documentation templates, checklists, and best practices (including proactive creation of job aids and guidance for the front line).
• Collaborate and help maintain a team-oriented environment within the legal compliance team and in the company overall!

Your Skills and Experience

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active license in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in in real estate finance law, preferably with a lender, law firm, bank, debt fund, or institutional investor.
• Excellent skills in drafting and negotiating agreements.
• Track record with complex real estate deals and program structuring for secured lending, including construction. Experience in capital markets a plus.
• Effective communicator with the ability to engage stakeholders across departments and management levels.
• Experience in liaising with, and leading, loan servicing, workouts, and enforcement matters.
• Already part of a highly collaborative environment, fostering an entrepreneurial culture, driving growth, and demonstrating leadership in problem-solving and innovation.
• Comfortable managing a wide arrange of tasks across multiple product and business lines, with multiple concurrent transactions, and within a nation-wide footprint.
• Proactive, growth- and risk-oriented mindset with a focus on results.
• Team player!

The Pay

Salary range is $170,000-$196,000 per year with a discretionary bonus of 30% per year

The Work Environment

• This role works closely with our team headquartered in Encino, CA. For candidates based outside of the area, occasional travel to our headquarters is required.
• Full-time, 40 hours per week; must be available for occasional overtime.
• Some nights and weekends may be required.

Ascent’s Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits include five health plans, four dental plans, health savings and flexible spending accounts, vision coverage, and other optional benefits to choose from.

Ascent’s Pledge

We pledge to be fair and considerate in hiring and promoting individuals, ensuring everyone can contribute their fullest potential regardless of background, identity, or personal circumstances. By promoting equal opportunity, we not only enhance our workplace but also contribute to a more just and equitable society. At Ascent, we stand united in building a community where everyone is empowered to succeed. Thank you for joining us on our journey towards a more inclusive future.